The Fair Work Commission's 2026-27 Annual Wage Review decision (handed down 2 June 2026) lifts the National Minimum Wage 6% to $26.44/hr and modern award rates 4.75%, effective 1 July 2026. Calculate your pay rise below.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Decision is in (2 June 2026): the National Minimum Wage rises 6% to $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week) and modern award rates rise 4.75% — effective the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Calculate your increase below.
AIGot a tricky case? Ask FairWork Mate AI — 1 free question, no signup →Decision announced — 2 June 2026
National Minimum Wage rises 6% to $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week). All modern award minimum rates rise 4.75% (the lowest C13/C14 classifications are lifted to the new $26.44 floor). New rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
Enter your current base hourly rate and pick the confirmed increase that applies to you — +6% if you're on the National Minimum Wage, or +4.75% if you're on a modern award rate. See what 1 July 2026 means for your weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay.
Default $24.95 = current National Minimum Wage. Use your award/award level rate for a personalised result.
Use +6% (National Minimum Wage) or +4.75% (modern award rate) — the confirmed 2026-27 figures.
Your new hourly rate
$26.45/hr
That's +$1.50/hr on your current rate.
| Period | Current | New | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $24.95 | $26.45 | +$1.50 |
| Weekly (38h) | $948.10 | $1,004.99 | +$56.89 |
| Fortnightly | $1,896.20 | $2,009.97 | +$113.77 |
| Annual | $49,301.20 | $52,259.27 | +$2,958.07 |
Calculations assume 38 ordinary hours per week × 52 weeks per year. Excludes overtime, penalty rates, casual loading, and tax. Based on the FWC's 2026-27 decision (2 June 2026), effective 1 July 2026.
What the major parties argued for. The Panel landed on 6% for the National Minimum Wage (above every submission) and 4.75% for award rates, citing the real-wage position of the low-paid against inflation.
| Party | Position | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| ACTU (unions) | +5.0% real wage increase | Cost of living, productivity catch-up. |
| Australian Industry Group (employers) | +2.5% (cap) | Inflation slowing, business pressure. |
| Australian Council of Small Business | +2.0% | Small business margin pressure. |
| Australian Government | Real wage increase consistent with sustainable growth | Treasury supports above-inflation increase but no specific number. |
| Fair Work Ombudsman | Neutral / observer | Provides data but does not advocate a number. |
Historical context. Recent National Minimum Wage increases have ranged from 2.5% to 6%.
| Review year | % increase | New min wage | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 6.00% | $26.44/hr | 1 July 2026 |
| 2024-25 | 3.50% | $24.95/hr | 1 July 2025 |
| 2023-24 | 3.75% | $24.10/hr | 1 July 2024 |
| 2022-23 | 5.75% | $23.23/hr | 1 July 2023 |
| 2021-22 | 5.20% | $21.97/hr | 1 July 2022 |
| 2020-21 | 2.50% | $20.33/hr | 1 July 2021 |
Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions, 2021-2025.
National Minimum Wage
~0.7% of workers (~70,000 employees) paid the unrounded floor with no award coverage.
Modern Award employees
~22% of workers (~2.4 million employees) paid against a Modern Award rate.
Enterprise agreement employees
May be benchmarked against awards depending on agreement terms.
Above-award employees
Often re-benchmarked indirectly when employers update their pay structures.
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These tools switch to the new 2026-27 rates as they take effect from 1 July 2026. Use the calculator above to model your rise now:
The Fair Work Commission handed down the Annual Wage Review 2026-27 decision on 2 June 2026. The National Minimum Wage rises 6% to $26.44/hour ($1,004.90/week) from 1 July 2026. Modern award minimum rates rise 4.75%. Full breakdown and calculators below.
Annual Wage Review 2026 Decision Day: When, Where and How to WatchThe Fair Work Commission Expert Panel hands down the 2026 minimum wage decision in early June. Here's the likely date and time, the FWC livestream link, what gets announced, and when your award rate actually changes.
2026 Wage Review: Predicted IncreaseThe Fair Work Commission's 2026 wage review is underway. Here's the timeline, predicted increase, and when your pay actually changes.
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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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